Ground battle key for Eagles

After dealing with the chic hurry-up attacks of Miami, Northwestern and Clemson, and being forced to attack through the air themselves after falling behind, the Eagles are in for an old-fashioned fight on the ground when they travel to Army today (CBS Sports Network, noon).

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

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Posted Oct. 6, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 6, 2012 at 6:04 AM

Posted Oct. 6, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 6, 2012 at 6:04 AM

CHESTNUT HILL

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It’s time for Boston College to go old school.

After dealing with the chic hurry-up attacks of Miami, Northwestern and Clemson, and being forced to attack through the air themselves after falling behind, the Eagles are in for an old-fashioned fight on the ground when they travel to Army today (CBS Sports Network, noon).

The 1-3 Eagles, who desperately need to beat the 0-4 Black Knights to have any chance of returning to a bowl after a one-year absence, have always built their offense around running the ball, and their defense around stopping the run. With the Black Knights allowing 242.5 yards per game on the ground and gaining a preposterous 367.5 rushing yards themselves, establishing the run and stopping it are BC’s formula for victory.

"The last few weeks we’ve been practicing uptempo, so now that we’re practicing for an offense that moves slower I feel like we’re more in shape," said sophomore defensive end Mehdi Abdesmad. "That could make a big difference in the game. We’re not going to be tired."

At first blush, today’s game seems like an easy win for BC.

The Eagles have lost to teams with a combined record of 13-2, and played each of them close. Army, meanwhile, lost to Stony Brook by 20 points last week. But four fumbles inside the Sea Wolves’ 30-yard line cost the Black Knights. Stony Brook may be an FCS team but it nearly beat Syracuse.

"I think our guys understand we’re 1-3, and it’s not like we’re on Easy Street and everything is going right for us," said BC coach Frank Spaziani. "I think we’re mature enough to understand that there’s no looking past anyone."

As far as BC’s offense is concerned, though the Eagles figure to be able to run against Army it’s something they haven’t been able to do much this season. They were decent against Miami before fumbles led to a big deficit, and followed that with 166 yards against Maine - an FCS school - but they gained only 25 yards against Northwestern and followed that with 51 against Clemson.

The poor performance is something BC’s offensive linemen have heard about from their predecessors, who built the school’s reputation for beating up the opposition.

"We hear from the alumni, the guys who graduated from O-Line U that are playing in the NFL now," said junior guard Ian White. "They’re all, ‘The O-line has to take over.’ It really hits us that we haven’t yet. We’ve improved a lot in pass protection, but it’s the run game that makes a great O-line. That really bothers all of us so we’re really doing all we can to get it fixed."

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Andre Williams will carry the load for BC with Tahj Kimble injured and Rolandan Finch buried on the depth chart in part due to persistent fumbling problems. Even if Williams gets hit quickly he may be able to gain yards after contact against the undersized Army defense.

"They struggle a little size-wise," said White, "so they’re going to try and move around a lot which can open seams. ... If we can block the right guys we’ll be in good shape."

Defensively, the Eagles rank 96th nationally, allowing 194.75 yards per game on the ground. The challenge the Black Knights pose is their option attack, which relies on fooling defenses and taking advantage when they get out of position.

The BC defenders know it’s imperative to hold their assignments an extra beat to make sure their eyes haven’t been fooled by Army quarterback Trent Steelman, but with 16 freshmen and sophomores on the defensive two-deep that may be easier said than done.

"We’ve been practicing some without a ball to make sure people are going to their assignment and not just if someone pitches the ball we’re running to that," said junior linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, who is doubtful for the game with a leg injury. "We’re making sure our mind is tuned into what we have to do every snap. It takes 11 guys to beat a team like Army. We’re going against the U.S. Army, and if one guy messes up that could mean six (points) easily."

The formula for the Eagles is simple. They need to run, and stop the run. It’s old school.

Eric Avidon can be reached at 508-626-3809 or eavidon@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericavidon.